Non-lethal projectile

ABSTRACT

A non-lethal projectile for dispersing a load with a predetermined time delay after being firing is provided with a casing including an externally threaded extension; a receptacle in the casing and including an internally threaded portion and a distal opening; a gas canister in the receptacle; a sleeve including an externally threaded first extension and secured to the internally threaded portion, and an externally threaded second extension; a needle moveably, partially disposed in the sleeve in proximity to the gas canister; a cylindrical fin assembly including surface slits, spring actuated fins each having a trough, an internally threaded recess secured to the externally threaded extension and the externally threaded second extension, and a through hole; an anchoring member put on the needle and having a locking member in the troughs for preventing the fins from projecting out of the slits; and a base engaged the needle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to non-lethal projectiles and more particularly to a non-lethal projectile capable of dispersing a load with time delay after firing.

2. Description of Related Art

There is a conventional projectile having a time delay arrangement. It comprises a casing including a cross wall on one side of which there is a first pressure chamber limited outwardly by an external side wall, and a supply opening for hot gas. The cross wall limits a second pressure chamber on the other side. The chamber is formed by the casing. A piston is axially movable in the casing and connects to a load. A throttled gas connection is provided between the first and second pressure chambers. The piston, under the effect of a pressure built up in the second pressure chamber, is adapted to move axially to fire the load out of the casing only after a predetermined pressure is reached.

While it has some utility, improvements in these products are desired, and these improvements are provided by the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a non-lethal projectile for the dispersal of a load with a predetermined time delay after firing the non-lethal projection, comprising a cylindrical casing comprising a nose and an externally threaded extension on a bottom; a cylindrical receptacle disposed in the casing and comprising an internally threaded portion at one end and an opening on an other end; a gas canister disposed in the receptacle; a sleeve comprising an externally threaded first extension at one end and secured to the internally threaded portion, and an externally threaded second extension at an other end; a needle moveably, partially disposed in the sleeve and comprising a pointed end in proximity to the gas canister; a fin assembly comprising a cylindrical housing, a plurality of spaced slits formed on the housing, a plurality of spring actuated fins disposed in the housing and each of the fins having a trough on an inner edge, an internally threaded recess at an end of the housing and secured to both the externally threaded extension of the casing and the externally threaded second extension, and a hole formed through a center of the internally threaded recess; a hollow anchoring member put on the needle and spaced from the internally threaded recess, the anchoring member comprising a retaining ring disposed at one end and put on the needle, and an annular locking member disposed on an other end and partially disposed in the troughs for preventing the fins from projecting out of the slits; and a disc-shaped base engaged with the needle and comprising a spring member for supporting the base at an other end of the housing; wherein in response to pushing both the base and the needle inward, the pointed end of the needle punctures the gas canister to release compressed air from the gas canister into the receptacle, the compressed air flows out of the receptacle into the casing via the opening, the locking member disengages from the troughs to unfasten the fins which pivotably project out of the slits, pressure in the casing increases constantly, and the casing explodes when the pressure reaches a predetermined value.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-lethal projectile according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the non-lethal projectile being fired;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the non-lethal projectile flying in the air;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a non-lethal projectile according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a non-lethal projectile according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a non-lethal projectile in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

A casing 1 comprises an ogive-shaped nose 10, a hollow, externally threaded extension 11 on a bottom. A cylindrical receptacle 2 comprises an internally threaded portion 21 at one end and an opening 23 on the other end. A gas canister 22 is disposed in the receptacle 2 and comprises a bottom 24. A sleeve 20 comprises an axial passage 26, an externally threaded first extension 20A at one end and secured to the internally threaded portion 21, and an externally threaded second extension 20B at the other end. A needle 29 has a portion moveably disposed in the passage 26 and has a pointed end 28 in proximity to a center of the bottom 24.

A fin assembly 3 comprises a cylindrical housing 33, a plurality of equally spaced slits (four are shown) 34 on the housing 33, a plurality of pivotal, triangular fins (four are shown) 38 corresponding to the slits 34 respectively, each fin 38 having a trough 39 on an inner edge, an internally threaded recess 31 on one end and secured to both the externally threaded extension 11 and the externally threaded second extension 20B, a hole 32 through a center of the internally threaded recess 31, a plurality of wells (four are shown) 35 each formed on an inner surface of the housing 33 and proximate to one end of the slit 34, a plurality of pivots (four are shown) 37 disposed in the wells 35, and a plurality of torsion springs (four are shown) 36 each put on the pivot 37 so that the pivots 37 may make the fins 38 pivotal.

A hollow anchoring member 50 is put on the needle 9 and comprises a retaining ring 50 engaged with one end and tightly put on the needle 9, and an annular flange 51 on the other end and partially disposed in the troughs 39, (i.e., the fins 38 being prevented from projecting out of the slits 34). The anchoring member 50 is spaced from the internally threaded recess 31 by a distance. A cup-shaped base 4 comprises a spring member 40 for moveably securing the base 4 to a bottom opening of the housing 33. Further, the other end of the needle 29 is engaged with a center of an inner surface of the base 4. There are a plurality of O-rings 12, 27, 25, and 41 provided for sealing purposes.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the non-lethal projectile can be put in a launching tube (not shown) which can push the base 4 inward. And in turn, the needle 29 moves to cause the pointed end 28 to pierce the bottom 24 into the gas canister 22. Compressed air is next released from the gas canister 22 and flows out of the receptacle 2 into the casing 1 via the opening 23. At the same time, the flange 51 disengages from the troughs 39 to unfasten the fins 38. Also, both the casing 1 and the fin assembly 3 are projected out of the launching tube. Thus, the fins 38 pivot about the pins 37 to extend out of the slits 34 due to the expansion of the springs 36. Pressure in the casing 1 builds constantly. The casing 1 may explode after the pressure reaches a predetermined value (i.e., having the effect of time delay). The casing 1 may be filled with, for example, riot control agent composition.

Referring to FIG. 6, a non-lethal projectile in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following: The fins are integrally formed with the housing 33 (i.e., fixed).

Referring to FIG. 7, a non-lethal projectile in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the second preferred embodiment except the following: The fins are eliminated.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-lethal projectile for dispersing a load, comprising: a cylindrical casing comprising a nose and an externally threaded extension on a bottom; a cylindrical receptacle disposed in the casing and comprising an internally threaded portion at one end and an opening on an other end; a gas canister disposed in the receptacle; a sleeve comprising an externally threaded first extension at one end and secured to the internally threaded portion, and an externally threaded second extension at an other end; a needle moveably, partially disposed in the sleeve and comprising a pointed end in proximity to the gas canister; a fin assembly comprising a cylindrical housing, a plurality of spaced slits formed on the housing, a plurality of spring actuated fins disposed in the housing and each of the fins having a trough on an inner edge, an internally threaded recess at an end of the housing and secured to both the externally threaded extension of the casing and the externally threaded second extension, and a hole formed through a center of the internally threaded recess; a hollow anchoring member put on the needle and spaced from the internally threaded recess, the anchoring member comprising a retaining ring disposed at one end and put on the needle, and an annular locking member disposed on an other end and partially disposed in the troughs for preventing the fins from projecting out of the slits; a disc-shaped base engaged with the needle; and a spring member for supporting the base at an other end of the housing; wherein in response to pushing both the base and the needle inward, the pointed end of the needle punctures the gas canister to release compressed air from the gas canister into the receptacle, the compressed air flows out of the receptacle into the casing via the opening, the locking member disengages from the troughs to unfasten the fins which pivotably project out of the slits, pressure in the casing increases constantly, and the casing explodes when the pressure reaches a predetermined value. 